Business leaders form coalition to combat anti-LGBT laws

Looking to safeguard Tennessee’s business climate, the leaders of about 190 companies and organizations from around the state have formed Tennessee Thrives, through which they plan to advocate for an inclusive environment and against legislation limiting protections of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual people.

The group includes prominent names such as locally based HCA Holdings, Belmont University and Pinnacle Financial Partners as well as Jack Daniel’s, Regal Entertainment Group and Memphis’ Methodist Le Bonheur complex from around the state. The organization points to Tennessee’s $18 billion tourist industry and its recent successes attracting business investment from companies in other states and internationally.

In a statement, Tennessee Thrives’ leaders said, “This outside investment is the main reason Tennessee leads the nation in private-sector job growth, with more than 2.5 million private-sector jobs across the state. Members of Tennessee Thrives don’t want to see anything put the brakes on that job growth, and that includes barriers that make it harder for employees and companies to bring their talents and dollars here.”